Cosmetic compositions capable of producing localized surface plasmonic resonance in response to indoor and/or outdoor lighting sources

Abstract

A topical skin composition and methods for its use are described. The composition can include a plurality of first plasmonic noble metal nanostructures having an aspect ratio of greater than 1 and being configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation from an artificial light source and / or from a solar radiation source to produce a first localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), and a plurality of second plasmonic noble metal nanostructures having an aspect ratio of greater than 1 and being configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation from a solar radiation source to produce a second LSPR.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 490,902 filed Apr. 27, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety without disclaimer.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention generally concerns topical skin compositions that can be used for cosmetic or skin treatment applications. In particular, topical skin compositions of the present invention can be designed to produce a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in response to indoor lighting conditions and / or outdoor lighting conditions. The produced LSPR can be beneficial to skin (e.g., reducing anti-oxidants or free-radicals that can cause oxidative damage to skin cells).B. Description of Related Art[0003]The use of plasmonic noble metal nanostructures in the cosmetics field is well-known. See WO 2012 / 027728 to Harris et al. Such structures have a plasmonic effect by producing a LSPR when subjected to electrom...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a solution for using plasmonic metal nanostructures in topical skin care compositions, such as cosmetic products. These nanostructures can produce therapeutically effective amounts of LSPR (localized surface plasmon resonance) in both natural light and artificial light settings, providing consistent skin benefits regardless of the light source. The nanostructures can also be designed to have specific peaks that match the light source, allowing for a more robust LSPR response in both indoor and outdoor settings. The produced LSPR can reduce free radicals and oxidants in the skin, providing benefits such as reducing skin damage and inflammation. The topical skin care compositions are dermatologically acceptable and can have a selected viscosity to prevent dripping or pooling after application.

Problems solved by technology

Notably, however, the Chung et al. pigments fail to consider the stability of their optical properties when the light source varies.

In particular, the pigments in Chung et al. can be prone to not exhibiting the desired colors when exposed to artificial light versus natural sunlight, thereby presenting a problem with obtaining a desired and consistent color irrespective of the light source.

Similar to Chung et al., Harris et al. also fails to explain whether the plasmonic nanoparticles can produce the thermomodulation effect irrespective of whether the composition having the nanoparticles exposed to natural or artificial light.

Stated plainly, the compositions in Harris et al. fail to address a situation where the end user applying the composition may move from an environment that has natural light to an environment that largely includes artificial light (e.g., an office environment, a home, etc.) and unknowingly reduces the efficacy of the composition.

Similar to Harris et al., El-Sayed et al. also fails to address the situation where the light source may vary, thereby reducing the efficacy of the composition when the light source switches from an artificial light source to natural sunlight, and vice versa.

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